Excerpt from Cello Sonata (2023)

Michael Leibowitz - Striations

2001

A theme and variations

Aaron Helgeson - Flute
Michael Leibowitz - Cello
Michael Weyandt - Piano

Michael Leibowitz - but beauty plunges skyward

Michael Leibowitz - Clouds Massing Eastward

The Line Between Water and Air

Spectra

Written for oboe, bassoon and piano. Premiered by the BOK Trio at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, May 22, 2015.

who listens in the snow

Premiered by the Cann Duo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. 2/14/16

PROGRAM NOTES:

"Let My People Go" is a theme(s) and variations based on three African-American spirituals: "Down By the Riverside," "Go Down Moses," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." These African-American spirituals have a history not just as part of the American folk song canon, but as protest songs, coded-message carriers, and songs sung to elevate an enslaved people and remind them that a better future awaited. In "Go Down Moses," for instance, the lyric "let my people go" applies just as much to the slaves working in the fields in the American South as it does to the slaves toiling in ancient Egypt.

All three spirituals are treated to a plethora of compositional variation--harmony, rhythm, meter, articulation, and genre are all played with and exploited to create a varied and engaging sonic palette. Sometimes the theme comes first (as in the opening "Down By the Riverside," where a syncopated jazzy accompaniment supports the unaltered melody), and sometimes the variation precedes it (atonal poly-rhythmic gestures introduce melodic ideas from "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"). Sometimes the melodies are obfuscated by lush rolling chords, sometimes they devolve into aggressive rhythmic punches, occasionally the melodies transform themselves into something entirely new. The climax of the piece pits all three spirituals against each other--all three are played simultaneously in a 4-part counterpoint with one spiritual in canon and one in rhythmic augmentation--in a rollicking frenzy of syncopated ferocity.

Let My People Go

Performed by Michelle Cann, April 24, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Philadelphia

Piano Suite - Postlude

Piano Suite - Toccata

Piano Suite - Prelude

Texts are poems by Megan Kruse.

Erin Brittain, soprano
Rachael Basescu, mezzo-soprano
Grant Mech, baritone
Akiko Hosaki, piano

Disassembly

1976

The Painted Lady Of Redford, Idaho

A Boy In The Park Tells Fortunes

Michael Leibowitz (b. 1981) is a composer and music educator living in Philadelphia, PA. He holds his Bachelors in Composition from Oberlin Conservatory and his Masters in Art and Teaching from the University of the Arts. Michael has studied composition privately with Randolph Coleman and Lewis Nielson at Oberlin Conservatory, Andrea Clearfield and Norman Davis at the University of the Arts, and Howard Frazin at the Longy School of Music.

Michael’s compositions explore the expressive possibilities of sound and the relationship between the composer, performer, and audience. At times subtly beautiful and at others violent and alienating, the audience is both challenged and rewarded by attentive listening. Chance elements in many of his works allow the performer great interpretive freedom and expressive potential. Michael’s works have been performed both across the United States and internationally.

A performer as well, Michael performs on piano, ‘cello and accordion. He teaches general music to urban youth at a K-8 school in Philadelphia, PA.

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